Massive dust storm reduces visibility, causes vehicle pileup on central California highway

CHOWCHILLA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a powerful dust storm known as a haboob caused a vehicle pile-up on a central California highway, sending several people to hospitals with minor injuries. The California Highway Patrol says an enormous rolling cloud of dust reduced visibility Monday afternoon on State Route 152 in Madera County, causing motorists to crash into one another. About 20 cars were involved. A haboob is a dust storm carried by the wind of a weather front that typically occurs in flat, arid areas.